The Jewish Way to Give
When it comes to charity, many people think of it as being something other people do – namely, the rich. After all, who else has the money to fund entire schools or hospitals?
But for Judaism, no matter the branch or denomination, there is the idea of tzedakah, which comes from the Hebrew for “justice,” and this is an obligation for all, even the poor. For to make charitable donations is prescribed as a religious duty and not one subject to personal fancy. In fact, it is taught to regard the very money for available tzedakah as not one’s own, but on loan, as it were, from G-d. This implies the further injunction to diligently investigate all would-be recipients of aid so that contributions will truly be of benefit and not go to waste.
On the face of it, it may sound surprising to an outsider, as with many aspects of Judaism. However – as with many aspects of Judaism, even for an outsider – there is an underlying logic that is at once compelling and beautiful. For in commanding even the poor to give, the rabbinical injunction to perform acts of tzedakah in effect empowers the poor to regard themselves as capable, too.
For what can be more empowering than to give? For to give means to share of oneself, and it even betters our natures – our love, our sacrifice, our character. It is not that poverty ennobles, but to bear poverty in righteousness: that is noble. As a result, in the Jewish tradition one need not be a successful businessman like Isaac Toussie so as to make donations. In Judaism, making charitable contributions is not only a religious responsibility, but a right.
For poverty is not so base as when it prevents one from sharing of one’s own means. This insight into human nature is what inspires the Jewish tradition to insist that even the poor not only have the duty to share, but can actually even enjoy sharing, giving, as a right!